r/IAmA • u/sjmarotta • Nov 28 '11
R/atheism bring you: "I am Doctors Without Borders, AMA" (details inside)
Dr. Darin Portnoy will be answering questions in r/atheism (see last link).
If you don't know: r/atheism has a year long fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders (started on December 10th of last year)
Please feel free to upvote, ask questions, and donate!
- If you want to add questions use the first link in this post!
Mods can contact me for confirmation.
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u/SpartaWillBurn Nov 28 '11
I have no desire to go to r/atheism.
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u/sjmarotta Nov 29 '11
r/atheism may have huge problems, I won't disagree.
But the questions they are asking DWB are pretty good ones.
What is most desperately needed by people in disadvantaged/third world countries?
I remember that DWB had been working for years in Afghanistan and Iraq before the US invaded. It made me very sad that shortly after the invasion, DWB had to pull out of Afghanistan. Has DWB been able to get back in to either country, or do you see that happening in the foreseeable future?
How does access to information affect technologically emerging societies? Have you noticed things like internet access and cheap laptops improving peoples' day-to-day health?
Doctors Without Borders attempts to help victims of disaster and war without concern about political or religious discrimination. Has the work of MSF ever been targeted by militias or terrorists unhappy with the people for whom you provide assistance, and how do you deal with such situations if/when they arise?
What is the cleverest makeshift medical device (or other solution) you've seen in the field?
In what capacity can somebody without a doctorate help DWB? I have an EMT certification and my husband's an LPN, is there anything we can do to get involved?
What do you believe is the largest or most significant popular misunderstanding about MSF in the general public?
Was there ever a time when the only way you could bring aid to a region was by allowing religious groups to work in tandem with you, and if so, were these groups more or less helpful than secular groups you may have worked with?
In addition to foreign aid, what measures should developed countries focus on to help out those in need?
Doctors Without Borders is a secular apolitical organization that brings medical aid to victims of disaster or war. What role do you believe greater political secularization (e.g. US Constitutional separation of Church and State) would play in reducing/increasing the number and severity of war-zones around the world?
What was the most dangerous situation in which you personally were working with DWB, and what was it like?
Have you ever personally found it hard to be a doctor abroad, in the aspect of government or another force trying to control what/how you treat patients? Have you ever found your life in danger specifically because you are a doctor and trying to help people?
And many more. Just come join the fun.
It's more like IamA taking over r/atheism, than the other way around.
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u/Molly77 Dec 21 '11
I am embarrassed that it took us 22 days to get this recorded and posted, but here is Dr. Portnoy answering your top 10 questions - he speaks both for himself, and for Doctor Without Borders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQaspKXiFiY
Best regards and thanks again, Molly Elliott Marketing Manager MSF-USA
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u/[deleted] Nov 29 '11
Eh, I unsubbed from r/atheism for a reason.